What’s a great meeting? Part of it is that everyone can participate. The talkative people don’t talk too much, and the quieter people get a chance to talk.
Some places formalize this by asking people to “step up/step back.” That is, if you’re quiet, set up and speak up. If you’re talkative, step back and listen up.
But some folks really have a challenge stepping back.
The Chief Happiness Officer blog offers up Five simple ways to STFU in meetings
- Put your hand over your mouth
- Ask some great questions
- Keep track of how often you blab
- Notice how you feel when you’re quiet
- Ask yourself a simple question: “Is what I’m about to say something I need to say or something the other participants need to hear?”
(For the acronym challenged, STFU is “Shut the F**k up.)
Great suggestions, and thank you to Jeff Brooks for the recommendation.
